Humboldt County, Iowa
Humboldt County, Iowa | |
Humboldt County Courthouse in Dakota City
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Location in the state of Iowa |
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Iowa's location in the U.S. |
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Founded | January 28, 1857 |
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Seat | Dakota City |
Largest city | Humboldt |
Area - Total - Land - Water |
435.73 sq mi (1,129 km²) 434.41 sq mi (1,125 km²) 1.31 sq mi (3 km²), 0.30% |
Population - (2010) - Density |
9,815 23/sq mi (9/km²) |
Time zone | Central: UTC-6/-5 |
Website | www.humboldtcountyia.org |
Footnotes: Population [1] |
Humboldt County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. It was created in 1857 and is named in honor of Alexander von Humboldt. The population was 9,815 in the 2010 census, a decline from 10,381 in the 2000 census.[1][2] The county seat is Dakota City. [3]
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[edit] Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 435.73 square miles (1,128.5 km2), of which 434.41 square miles (1,125.1 km2) (or 99.70%) is land and 1.31 square miles (3.4 km2) (or 0.30%) is water.[4] Unlike all counties to its east and west, Humboldt County has only 12 townships. Although founded with the standard 16 townships in January 15, 1851, the county was removed from existence in 1855.[5] By the time the county was reestablished on February 26, 1857, John Duncombe of Fort Dodge (namesake of Duncombe, Iowa) had tricked Humboldt County into cedeing the southern four townships (Jackson, Deer Creek, Badger, Newark) to Webster County "on loan".[6]
[edit] Major highways
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Kossuth County (north)
- Wright County (east)
- Webster County (south)
- Pocahontas County (west)
[edit] History
Humboldt County was established in 1851 as the smallest county in Iowa. It was named after Alexander von Humboldt. On July 1, 1855, the county lines were newly established, adding some land from Kossuth County and Webster County. On February 26, 1857, the old borders were reestablished, and Webster County would not return the land, leaving Humboldt County with only twelve townships.[7] In 1872, Humboldt College was opened and closed in 1916 because there was no agreement with the county about taxation.[7]
[edit] Parks
Humboldt County does not contain any state parks, but it does contain county parks. South of Humboldt is Frank A. Gotch County Park. It is named for Frank Gotch, a world-champion, undefeated wrestler from Humboldt. The park is near his childhood farm and is also home to the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Des Moines River. The park features campgrounds and a well-known converted railroad bridge that formerly was used by the railroad. The bridge is part of the Three Rivers Trail, which is a converted rail route that runs from Eagle Grove west to Rolfe.
Near Bradgate is the Willow Access Area. The terrain is very wooded. In south Rutland is Rose Mill Park. The area can be used for camping and also has access to the Rutland Dam and West Fork of the Des Moines River. The dam is currently in the process of being restored, and most of the park is new. The river is known for its forested limestone bluffs and grassy banks.
Further downriver near Humboldt is Oxbow Park, which contains boating access ramps and lost of scenic open space. The park's southern border is Iowa Highway 3, and south of that is Joe Sheldon County Park. The park is split into two sections, one mostly for camping and one focused on recreation. There is access to the West Fork of the Des Moines River from the lower part of the park.
Continuing along the river, the Lake Nokomis area begins, popular for its woods and small ponds. The Cottonwood Trail also runs through the area.
West of Livermore, Lott's Park allowes access to Lott's Creek. The park has lost of benches and picnic tables. South of Ottosen is the Ottosen Marsh State Game Management Area, colloquially the Ottosen Potholes. East of Dakota City is the Dakota City River Park, near an old dam and the Humboldt County Historical Museum. Near the unincorporated community of Pioneer is the Pioneer Prairie Pothole Wildlife Area.
[edit] Demographics
Historical populations | |||
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Census | Pop. | %± | |
1860 | 332 |
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1870 | 2,596 | 681.9% | |
1880 | 5,341 | 105.7% | |
1890 | 9,836 | 84.2% | |
1900 | 12,667 | 28.8% | |
1910 | 12,182 | −3.8% | |
1920 | 12,951 | 6.3% | |
1930 | 13,202 | 1.9% | |
1940 | 13,459 | 1.9% | |
1950 | 13,117 | −2.5% | |
1960 | 13,156 | 0.3% | |
1970 | 12,519 | −4.8% | |
1980 | 12,246 | −2.2% | |
1990 | 10,756 | −12.2% | |
2000 | 10,381 | −3.5% | |
2010 | 9,815 | −5.5% | |
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[edit] 2010 census
The 2010 census recorded a population of 9,815 in the county, with a population density of 22.5939/sq mi (8.7235/km2). There were 4,684 housing units, of which 4,209 were occupied.[1]
[edit] 2000 census
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 10,381 people, 4,295 households, and 2,881 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 4,645 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.63% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. 0.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,295 households out of which 29.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 6.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 29.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 21.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,201, and the median income for a family was $46,510. Males had a median income of $31,004 versus $22,312 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,300. About 5.30% of families and 8.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.80% of those under age 18 and 5.10% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Cities and towns
- Bode
- Bradgate
- Dakota City
- Gilmore City
- Hardy
- Humboldt
- Livermore
- Lu Verne
- Ottosen
- Pioneer
- Renwick
- Rutland
- Thor
[edit] Ghost town
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010". United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL2.ST05&prodType=table. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
- ^ a b "Data from the 2010 Census". State Data Center of Iowa. http://www.iowadatacenter.org/archive/2011/02/feb10. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ^ "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. http://www.census.gov/tiger/tms/gazetteer/county2k.txt. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
- ^ "Beaver Township, Dakota City". Humboldt County Historical Association. 2011. http://www.humboldtiowahistory.org/dakota_city.htm. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
- ^ "About Humboldt County". 2011. http://www.humboldtcountyia.org/content/view/12/15/. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
- ^ a b "City of Humboldt History." City of Humboldt. Online History. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Humboldt County, Iowa |
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Webster County |
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Coordinates: 42°46′38″N 94°12′15″W / 42.77722°N 94.20417°W